Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2011, published 101st ILC session (2012)

Labour Inspectorates (Non-Metropolitan Territories) Convention, 1947 (No. 85) - St Helena

Articles 1, 2 and 4 of the Convention. Functioning of a labour inspection system. Number of suitably trained labour inspectors and inspection visits. The Committee notes that, according to the Government’s report, there continues to be no full-time inspectorate. The responsibility for labour inspection services is vested in the Government’s Head of Employment and Social Security Department in so far as labour administration matters are concerned, and the Environmental Health Section of the Public Health and Social Services Department in so far as health and safety and the general working environment are concerned. According to the Government, one environmental health officer has received formal training in factory inspection duties but no one has had any formal training in labour inspection duties.

The Committee recalls that, according to Article 1 of the Convention, labour inspection services shall be maintained in non-metropolitan territories. According to Article 2, labour inspection services shall consist of suitably trained inspectors and, according to Article 4, inspectors shall be required to inspect conditions of employment at frequent intervals.

The Committee requests the Government to indicate the number of labour inspectors and to specify their functions and the proportion of their activities which focus on the inspection of conditions of employment.

Please also indicate the measures taken or envisaged during the next reporting period in order to provide suitable training to labour inspectors so that they can carry out their functions effectively. Please indicate the subjects, duration and impact of such training.

The Committee would also be grateful if the Government would provide data on the number of inspection visits in relation to workplaces liable to inspection and the number of workers employed therein.

Finally, the Committee requests the Government to provide a copy of the organizational chart of the labour inspectorate.